GWM unveils sweeping electric and hybrid car plans

The surge of Chinese brands into the Australian market is about to gain pace, as one powerful brand announces sweeping plans for the future.

2023 Ora Next Cat electric car.

Great Wall Motors hopes to take on established carmakers with a range of electric, hydrogen-powered and hybrid machines intended to tempt people away from the likes of Toyota and Hyundai.

Best known in Australia for affordable utes that undercut household names, GWM promises to deliver 50 “new energy vehicles by 2025”, as part of a European expansion at this week’s Paris motor show.

The Ora Next Cat electric car has unique styling.

The brand is already reasonably established in Australia, with plans to enter the growing electric vehicle market in the near future.

A report published on the manufacturer’s global website in December 2021 said the brand’s “first electric model will soon be revealed in Australia”, possibly taking the form of the compact Ora Good Cat hatchback.

The Ora "Good Cat" electric car might make it to Australia.

GWM revealed further information surrounding its four-door electric rival to the likes of Tesla’s Model 3 in Paris, presenting “The Next Ora Cat” to the public.

Powered by twin electric motors with 300kW and 680Nm of power, the all-wheel-drive Ora Cat is capable of reaching 100kmh in 4.3 seconds.

Ora’s Next Cat electric car has soft-edged styling.

A large 83.49kWh battery offers up to 430 kilometres of range, and can charge from zero to 80 per cent capacity in less than an hour.

GWM promises that the car will offer modern safety and infotainment features including a 10.25-inch driver readout and 12.3-inch central screen.

The Next Cat’s cabin has a retro-futuristic vibe.

The manufacturer also showed off a plug-in hybrid alternative to machines such as the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Known as the Wey Coffee 01, the new SUV is capable of driving up to 146 kilometres on electric power alone.

The WEY Coffee 01 hybrid has an interesting look.

Front and rear electric motors combine with a petrol engine to deliver all-wheel-drive traction and a five second sprint to 100km/h.